SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 354
	In Memory
	of
	William Lewis Miller
	WHEREAS, Lance Corporal William Lewis Miller of Pearland,
	who died during combat duty in Iraq on November 15, 2004, at the
	age of 22, served his country with valor and earned the profound
	appreciation of every American; and
	WHEREAS, From the time he was very young, Billy Miller
	wanted to join the military; he enlisted in the Marines the
	summer before his senior year at Pearland High School, and in
	June of 2001, three weeks after receiving his diploma, he left
	for basic training; and
	WHEREAS, His first overseas tour of duty lasted nearly two
	years and took him to United States Naval Station Rota, in Spain,
	where he was attached to a Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team;
	before he left Rota he had already earned a reputation as a "salt
	dog," the Marine term of respect for someone who is highly
	proficient at his job; and
	WHEREAS, In March of 2004, Corporal Miller transferred to
	Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
	Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force; he deployed in June of
	2004 to Iraq, where he made the ultimate sacrifice while leading
	a mission in Fallujah, in Al Anbar province; and
	WHEREAS, Endowed with an exuberant spirit, an
	irrepressible smile, and an affectionate, generous heart,
	Corporal Miller infused the world around him with laughter and
	joy; he wanted to attend college after returning to civilian
	life and, characteristically, planned to study psychology or
	psychiatry so that he could help others; a gifted athlete who
	played Little League baseball and idolized Nolan Ryan, he also
	loved fishing and hunting and spending time with his sister's
	children; and
	WHEREAS, In the midst of an arduous struggle, Corporal
	Miller always sought to be on point, the man in front, and
	he carried out his duties with unfailing dedication and
	professionalism; the Marine Corps values of honor, courage,
	and commitment have had no finer champion, and all who knew
	and treasured this young Texan will forever remember him with
	infinite love and gratitude; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
	80th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of
	Lance Corporal William Lewis Miller and extend sincere
	sympathy to the members of his family: his parents,
	Susie and Lewis Miller; his sister, Sabrina Blankenship,
	and her husband, Joe; his half sister, Lisa Miller Story,
	and her husband, Ken; his grandmother, Gloria H. Bailey;
	and his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	his family, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so
	in memory of Lance Corporal William Lewis Miller.
	Jackson
	Averitt Harris Shapiro
	Brimer Hegar Shapleigh
	Carona Hinojosa Uresti
	Deuell Janek Van de Putte
	Duncan Lucio Watson
	Ellis Nelson Wentworth
	Eltife Nichols West
	Estes Ogden Whitmire
	Fraser Patrick Williams
	Gallegos Seliger Zaffirini
	Dewhurst, President of the Senate
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	________________________________
	President of the Senate
	I hereby certify that the
	above Resolution was adopted by
	the Senate on February 28, 2007,
	by a rising vote.
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	________________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
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	Member, Texas Senate